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How to Cook Rice to Make it Light and Fluffy

Cooking rice to perfection can be a difficult skill to master. It’s easy for it to come out slightly undercooked, or at the other end of the spectrum, overcooked, stodgy and sticky. Follow our guide to help you cook light, fluffy rice every time.

Rinse the rice thoroughly first to get rid of any excess starch. If you’re cooking older rice or basmati rice, you might want to soak it for around 30 minutes as this will help the grains to expand.

The absorption method is the ideal way to cook your rice and the key is using just the right amount of water. Use the ratio one part rice: two parts water. Place the rice in a heavy-based pan to prevent it from burning and sticking to the bottom. Add in 1 teaspoon of salt and the correct amount of cold water.

Bring the rice to the boil then turn the heat right down and cover the pan. The cooking time will vary depending on the type of rice so check the instructions on the packet.

Once you’ve finished cooking the rice, allow it to sit for a while. Leave it in the pan with the lid on but remove it from the heat. This will allow the moisture to balance out so that you have a more consistent texture. It will need at least five minutes, potentially more.